Suggests Potential Health Benefits to Dogs
When Spay or Neuter is Delayed.
A recent AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) study, looks at the early spay and neuter implications in Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers as applied to com- mon areas of canine health including joint disorders and cancer. It suggests that delay- ing the spay or neuter of dogs until they reach sexual maturity may provide long- term health benefits. According to Dr. Ben Hart, University
of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, “We found in both breeds that neutering before the age of six months, which is common practice in the United States, significantly increased the occurrence of joint disorders.” The data, however, showed that the incidence rates of both joint disorders and cancers at various neuter ages were much more pronounced in Golden Retrievers than in the Labrador Retrievers. To arrive at these conclusions Dr. Hart
and his team analyzed 13 years of health records from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine for neutered and non- neutered male and female Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers between the ages of one and eight years of age. These records included 1,015 Golden Retriever cases and 1,500 Labrador Retriever cases. Among the findings in Dr. Hart’s research, Labrador Retrievers are less vulnerable than Golden Retrievers to the long-term health effects of neutering, as evidenced by differ- ing rates of certain joint disorders and dev- astating cancers. This new comparison of the two breeds
was prompted by the research team’s earlier study, also funded by CHF and reported in February 2013, which found a marked increase in the incidence of two joint disor- ders and three cancers in Golden Retrievers that had been neutered. Studies like Dr. Hart’s help equip vet-
erinarians and dog owners with information to make informed decisions about when to spay or neuter.
U 74 THE NEW BARKER
AKC Canine Health Foundation Research
Florida Veterinarian Weighs In On
California Spay/Neuter Study. by Elizabeth F. Baird, DVM, CVPP
Dr. Hart’s study is a retrospective review of data collated primarily from teaching hospitals and may not represent the true population. Nonetheless, there may be some truth to these findings. But there are huge exceptions to all statistics. When they talk about joint health, they are referring to ruptured cruciate ligaments (among other things). My Dobie wasn’t neutered until he was three years old and he ruptured both of his cruciate ligaments. And I’ve seen plenty of boys with testicles get cancer, trust me. So, there are lots of other factors involved here. This is part of what
the Morris Animal Foundation’s Golden Retriever Lifetime Study is look- ing to clarify by following everything about 3,000 dogs’ lifespans, not just age of spay/neuter. I just completed my yearly evaluation (as an owner), collecting data on everything from what is fed, the amount, what treats are given, veggies, fruits, supplements, amount of exercise per day, sun expo- sure, environment (down to flooring) and behavior. Then we do the DNA, pedigrees and yearly sampling. Hopefully that data will help answer the when to spay/neuter question. Meanwhile, we have the age old concern of breast cancer in unspayed
females, which is nearly inevitable. Then there’s pyometra (infected uterus) which can be fatal. And the boys get prostatitis, perineal hernias and anal gland tumors. The list goes on and on. But the critical issue is one of pop- ulation control. We cannot adopt out intact youngsters and expect them to get spayed
and neutered later just because we encourage it. And unfortunately, we can’t count on all the adopters to be responsible pet owners. So, rescues are trapped in the middle of this quandary. But, I’m a realist too. Puppies being saved from death in an Alabama shelter need homes or they’ll die and we have people ready and willing to care for them and provide homes. Is the potential trade-off reasonable? I think most will agree it is.
U
www.TheNewBarker.com
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